The Prayer Box

As the protagonist of The Prayer Box, Tandi is a dynamic and round character whose journey from a place of fear and isolation to one of community and faith forms the novel’s central narrative arc. Initially, she arrives on Hatteras Island to hide after escaping an abusive relationship with Trammel Clarke. She is defined by her past, one that has left her financially destitute, emotionally scarred, and in recovery from a painkiller addiction. Her primary motivation is survival, seeking a hiding place at the literal edge of the continent where she believes her past cannot find her and her children, Zoey and J.T. Her state of mind is characterized by a deep-seated fear and mistrust, which keeps her from forming connections in the Fairhope community. She operates from a place of desperation, a mindset underscored by her internal monologue: “You’ll make a lot of excuses for yourself while you’re letting your life tumble down a well. It’s not until you hit bottom that you see what a deep hole you’re in” (46).

The discovery of Iola Anne Poole’s prayer boxes serves as the catalyst for Tandi’s transformation.